Specialized comb

ABSTRACT

A specialized comb is described. It includes a main body, a handle portion attached to the main body, and a parting elongated portion attached to the handle portion. The comb includes several hair styling areas. A first styling area uses substantially straight teeth extending from a cross-bar. A second styling area comprises a notch with indentations for guiding hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is a hair comb with specialized features. Inone embodiment, the comb includes components designed to facilitateparting of hair, including an elongated portion and multiple hairstylingportions.

2. Background of the Invention

General-purpose hair styling tools are often insufficient to achievedesired hairstyling results. For example, the parting of hair ischallenging to execute using a standard comb. A well-defined hair partrequires both movements of large amounts of hair and precise styling ofsmall quantities of hair, as frequently found around an end user'shairline.

Combs designed for hair parting exist; however, they still requireexternal tools for some parts of the hairstyling process. They alsofrequently trap hair and result in pulling or tugging of hair.

Standard parting combs are time-consuming and do not incorporate all thehairstyling surfaces needed to create a desirable hair part. It isdifficult to create a straight part using standard combs, and thestylist must reach for multiple tools to complete a job.

A need exists in the art for a single-piece hair parting comb thatincludes all of the hairstyling surfaces needed to achieve asubstantially straight hair part. A need also exists for a method ofusing and manufacturing such a hair parting comb.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a specialized comb thatovercomes drawbacks in the prior art. A feature of the invention is thatit incorporates multiple hair styling tools in one compact comb. Anadvantage of the invention is that a single specialized comb can be usedto accomplish a number of possible hairstyles with precision. Anadditional advantage of the invention is that the end-user can use asingle comb for a number of tasks.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comb that facilitatesthe parting of hair. A feature of the invention is that it includes anelongated portion that can move a large quantity of hair at one time andalso includes other hairstyling tools that manipulate smaller quantitiesof hair with greater precision. An advantage of the invention is thatthe end-user can perform tasks that require lower precision as well ashigh precision manipulation using a single tool to achieve a desirableparting of the hair.

Another object of the invention is to create a comb that is easy to gripto facilitate fast and secure hair manipulation. A feature of theinvention is that, in one embodiment, the comb includes a grippingsegment and gripping features. An advantage of the invention is that thecomb is maintained in a firm grip by the user while providing many areasfor hairstyling, including areas that will come in contact with hairstyling products.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a comb that is adaptedfor all phases of hairstyling. A feature of the invention is that thecomb includes at least three hairstyling tools in a single unit. Anadvantage of the invention is that the end-user can rely on a singlespecialized comb to perform all tasks related to hairstyling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comb with gripstabilizing characteristics. A feature of the invention is that the mainbody of the comb includes indentations for the thumb of the end-user tofacilitate balancing of the comb while passing the comb through the hairbeing styled. A benefit of the invention is that it will remain balancedin the hand of the end-user even when the end-user is moving quickly ormanipulating large quantities of hair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comb that is convenientto manufacture. A feature of the invention is that all tools areintegrally molded, in one embodiment, or easily combined, in anotherembodiment. An advantage of the invention is that the comb can bemass-produced.

The invention provides a comb comprising: a main body; a handle portionattached to said main body; and a parting elongated portion having aproximal end attached to said handle portion; wherein said main bodycomprises at least two hairstyling areas wherein said first areacomprises substantially straight teeth forming extending from across-bar forming least one substantially surface; and said second areacomprises an extending member with indentations adapted to guideend-user's hair and a hook addition adapted for fine adjustment of hair.

Also provided is a method of combing hair comprising providing a combhaving multiple portions, including at least one elongated portion, ahandle portion; and a main comb area; holding the specialized comb atthe handle portion; parting hair using said at least one elongatedportion; and combing parted hair using the main comb area extending pastthe handle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages,will be best understood from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a detailed view of one element of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart of the manufacturing of one embodiment ofthe comb; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict overviews of two embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of specificembodiments of the present invention will be better understood when readin conjunction with the appended drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralsaid elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional such elements not having that property.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a specializedcomb 10. In the depicted embodiment, the comb 10 comprises three primaryparts, the main body 12, the handle portion 14, and the elongatedportion 16. The elongated portion includes a proximal end 18 on one endand a distal end 20 on the opposing end. In the depicted embodiment, thedistal end 20 is tapered to a point. In other embodiments, the distalend 20 is substantially rounded.

The elongated portion 16 is shown as comprising rectangularsub-segments, in the depiction of FIG. 1. In other embodiments, such asthe ones shown in the figures described below, the elongated portion 16has a rounded exterior surface with a substantially circularcross-section.

The main body 12 is connected to the handle portion 14, and the proximalend 18 of the elongated portion 16. While the comb 10 is described ascomprising these portions, in some embodiments, the comb 10 comprises asingle body with the portions being described above only for a logicaldivision between functions of the different parts of the comb 10. Insome embodiments, the portions comprise separable elements so that thecomb 10 can be disassembled for storage, cleaning, or disinfection.

In one embodiment, the elongated portion 16 is adapted to parting largequantities of an end-user's hair.

The main body 12 comprises a number of hairstyling areas. As shown inFIG. 1, two hairstyling areas 22, 28 are shown. The first hairstylingarea 22 contains a cross-bar 26. An array of tines or teeth 24 extendfrom the cross-bar 26. The teeth 24 are substantially perpendicular tothe cross-bar 26. The teeth 24 and the cross-bar 26 form a surface withonly one column of teeth 24 used in the first hair styling area 22. Inone embodiment the side of the cross-bar 26 which is opposite to theside having the teeth 24 is substantially flat. In another embodiment,the side of the cross-bar 26 which is opposite to the side having theteeth 24 is curved and is so adapted to follow the curvature of the enduser's hand.

The second hairstyling area 28 is defined at and end of the cross-bar 26opposite of the handle portion 14. The second hairstyling area 28includes an extending member 30. The extending member 30 includes anumber of indentations 32 along the length of the extending member 30.In the depicted embodiment, there are seven indentations 32 formed byseven cylindrical structures 34. The second hairstyling area 28 alsoincludes a notch 36 extending past the interior surface 42 of thecross-bar 26. As such, the size of the bar 26 is smaller in the secondhairstyling area 28 than in the first hair styling area 22.

The exterior surface 43 of the cross-bar 26 is opposite from theinterior surface 42 of cross-bar 26. The exterior surface 43 includes adepression or an indentation 38. The indentation 38 is adapted toreceive an end-user's thumb while the end-user is holding the comb 10 atthe handle portion 14. The indentation 38 is also helpful as a locationfor an end-user's thumb when the end-user is not holding the comb at thehandle portion 14.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the exterior surface 43 can becurved. In other embodiments, the exterior surface 43 is substantiallystraight, except for the indentation 38.

The second hairstyling area 28 also includes a catch or a hook addition40, which will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 depicts the comb 10 as seen from a top view, depicted by thearrows 2 in FIG. 1. As can be appreciated from the top view of FIG. 2,the comb 10 has a substantially flat side profile, except for a fewfeatures that help in the gripping of the comb 10. In the depictedembodiment, the handle portion 14 includes a first gripping area 44 anda second gripping area 46. The gripping areas 44, 46 include a grippattern with a protruding cross-section when viewed from the top, asshown in FIG. 2. As visible in FIG. 2, the cross-bar 26 includes theindentation 38 which has an outer rim 48. During use, variable amountsof pressure can be applied to the indentation 38, which causesvariations in the orientation of the main body of the comb.

FIG. 3 depicts the comb 10 as seen from a side view, depicted by thearrows 3 in FIG. 1. The distal end 20 of the elongated portion isclosest to the viewer in FIG. 3. The distal end 20 ends in a point 50.The point is a rounded tip in one embodiment and facilitates the partingof hair, in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is another overview of an embodiment 60. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the parting elongated portion 66 is substantially cylindricaland has a cross-section that is substantially a circle, except for therounded tip 62.

The cross-bar 64 of the embodiment 60 includes a flat area 68. The flatarea 68 can accommodate printed or etched indicia, including branding,instructions, product number, or other information. In one embodiment,the flat area 68 includes a QR code with instructions on how to use theembodiment 60.

Another embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. In the embodiment of the comb70, the elongated substrate 72 comprises a different material than themain body 76 of the comb 70. The elongated substrate 72 comprises ametallic cylinder. The metal for the elongated substrate 72 is selectedto be non-reactive with hairstyling products. In one embodiment, themetallic elongated substrate 72 comprises a coated aluminum rod. Inanother embodiment, the metallic elongated substrate 72 includes a layerof non-reactive metal such as stainless steel.

The elongated substrate 72 is received by an aperture 74 in the combmain body 76. In one embodiment, the aperture 74 includes threads thatcorrespond to threads on the elongated substrate 72. In otherembodiments, the elongated substrate 72 frictionally engages with thewalls of the aperture 74. In yet another embodiment, the elongatedsubstrate 72 spans the majority of the main body 76. The elongatedsubstrate 72 is present in the mold when the main body 76 plastic isadded, forming the main body 76.

A benefit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that it can be used tohandle heavy hair that would cause an elongated plastic structure tobend or fail. Another benefit of the embodiment from FIG. 5 is that themetallic elongated substrate 72 can be separated from the main body andis more readily recyclable.

The plastic components of the comb are generally made from aconventional plastic for hairstyling tools, such as polypropylene. Insome embodiments, the comb includes biodegradable components orplant-origin plastics.

A close-up view of the front of the second hairstyling area of oneembodiment is shown in FIG. 6. The location of the second hairstylingarea is depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 as the second hairstylingarea 28.

In FIG. 6, in that embodiment 80, the second hairstyling area 82includes a hook addition 84, which includes a first projection 86 and asecond projection 88. The first substrate is located directly over thetop of the notch 90. The first projection 86 extends further away fromthe main body 92 of the embodiment 80. While being styled, the hair isfirst contacted by the first projection 86 and held in place by thesecond projection 88, while the main body 92 is moved in a directionparallel to the space formed by the first projection 86 and the secondprojection 88.

In embodiments where the projections form a single hook structure, suchas the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 1, the end-user's hair is styled byhooking onto the top of the structure, such as the top of the firstprojection 86.

Use Steps

In use, the specialized comb is grasped by the handle portion or theelongated portion, or both. Compared with a convention comb, thespecialized comb described herein has a defined handle portion that isin the middle of the device as opposed to the top or the end of the mainbody of the comb that does not include the teeth or tines.

The elongated portion is then inserted into the hair at the approximatelocation of where the part will be created. The elongated portion isoriented so that it is substantially parallel to the scalp but isinserted into the hair with the tip at the distal end of the elongatedportion entering the hair first.

Once the elongated portion is in its desired location, the hair isparted by lifting the elongated portion while holding the hair with afree hand.

Hairstyling product can optionally be added at the time the hair isparted using the elongated substrate.

At this point, the hairstyle comprises a general part, which must befollowed by detailed work. The first step during the detail work is theuse of the teeth of the first hairstyling area to generally arrange thehair. If the part is not configured exactly as intended (as is likely),the part can be straightened using the hair manipulation tools found inthe second hairstyling area. For example, the extending member with theindentations and cylindrical shapes will help reversibly catch the hairto straighten the part. Hair will also collect in the notch.

Slight adjustments to hair, especially hair at the start of thehairline, is accomplished with the hook found in the second hairstylingarea. The hook structure is used to rearrange individual stray hairs.

The teeth of the first hairstyling area can also be used to distribute ahair treatment product to help solidify the hairdo.

Manufacturing Overview

An overview of the manufacturing process 100 is shown in the flowchartin FIG. 7.

The process begins by preparing a mold 102, in one embodiment. Inanother embodiment, the process begins by preparing a source material104 for an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. Inanother embodiment, some parts are manufactured using traditionalmethods, and other parts are manufactured using additive manufacturing,and so both methods are shown in FIG. 7.

Next, the plastic components of the comb are manufactured by eitherfilling the mold with the plastic 106 or by performing the additivemanufacturing 108.

The plastic components are then finished 110 by an appropriate method.

If a separate metallic elongated substrate is added, the elongatedsubstrate is prepared 112, such as by adding threads or by applying afinished layer to the elongated substrate.

Next, the elongated substrate is joined 114 with the plastic main bodyof the comb manufactured.

Optionally, printed or etched indicia is added 116 on the appropriatepart of the plastic main body.

Finally, the completed comb is inserted into the final packaging 118,such as by being placed in a box, hermetically sealed in a plasticcontainer, or placed in a tamper-evident bag.

Elongated Substrate Embodiments

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict overviews of two embodiments of the inventedmulti-function comb. In embodiment 120 of FIG. 8A, the elongatedsubstrate 122 comprises a plastic and is integrally molded with the mainbody of the comb 124. The resulting elongated substrate 122 is thickestat the connection point 126 with the handle portion 128 and then tapersto the opposite end 130. The tapered portion 132 begins after a portionof the elongated substrate 122 that is substantially straight 134. Thetapered area is shown to have a substantially constant angle, shown indashed lines and an angle of tapering α. In one embodiment, the angle oftapering α is approximately 7 degrees to 8 degrees.

While the embodiment 120 is shown as having segments, in one embodiment,the segments are not physically separable components, and all parts ofthe embodiment 120 are manufactured as a single piece. In otherembodiments, some parts of the comb are detachable, as described above.

The embodiment 120 shown in FIG. 8A is referred to as comprising a rattail comb.

FIG. 8B depicts an overview of an embodiment 140 wherein the elongatedsubstrate 142 comprises a pin 144. The pin 144 comprises a segment 146with a substantially constant cross-section and a tapered segment 148,which terminates in a point 150. The pin 144 comprises a metallicsubstrate, in one embodiment.

The tapered segment 148 is a minority of the length of the pin 144, forexample, being 15% of the length of the pin 144, in one embodiment.

The embodiment 140 shown in FIG. 8B is referred to as comprising apintail comb.

The pin 144 is received by the handle portion 152. In one embodiment,the pin 144 is kept in place by frictional engagement with the handleportion 152. In another embodiment, the pin 144 has a threaded segmentwhose threads are received by threads defined in the handle portion 152.

Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depictedand described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions,and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types ofmaterials described herein are intended to define the inventionparameters, they are by no means limiting but are instead exemplaryembodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skillin the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” are used merely as labels and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, thelimitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

1. A comb comprising: a main body; a handle portion attached to saidmain body; and a parting elongated portion having a proximal endattached to said handle portion; wherein said main body comprises atleast two hairstyling areas wherein said first area comprisessubstantially straight teeth extending from a cross-bar forming leastone surface; and said second area comprises an extending member withindentations adapted to guide end-user's hair and a hook additionadapted for fine adjustment of hair.
 2. The comb of claim 1, whereinsaid main body further comprises a depression in the cross-bar.
 3. Thecomb of claim 1, wherein said cross-bar comprises an outside surfacewhich is opposite to the cross-bar surface having the teeth; whereinsaid outside surface is curved.
 4. The comb of claim 1, wherein saidmain body and handle portion are integrally molded.
 5. The comb of claim1, wherein said parting elongated portion comprises a different materialfrom the main body and the handle portion.
 6. The comb of claim 1,wherein said main body further comprises a third hair styling areahaving a catch.
 7. The comb of claim 6, wherein said catch is acontinuation of the second hairstyling area.
 8. The comb of claim 1,wherein said cross-bar features a cross-section with a variablethickness.
 9. The comb of claim 1, wherein said cross-bar comprises anarea for indicia.
 10. The comb of claim 1, wherein said partingelongated portion comprises a rounded distal end.
 11. A method ofparting hair using a specialized comb, the method comprising: providinga comb having a main body comprising multiple portions, including atleast one elongated portion, a handle portion; and a main comb area;holding the specialized comb at the handle portion; parting hair usingsaid at least one elongated portion; and combing parted hair using themain comb area extending past the handle portion.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising performing detailed hair arrangement usingsecondary tools on the main comb area.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the detailed hair arrangement is performed using an extendingmember having indentations adapted to guide hair.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the main comb area further comprises a hook additionadapted for fine adjustment of hair position.
 15. The method of claim 11wherein said elongated portion comprises a plastic tapered cylindricalshape which is integrally molded in the comb.
 16. The method of claim 11wherein said elongated portion comprises a metallic pin which isconnected with the main body of the comb.
 17. The method of claim 11further comprising cleaning and sanitizing the comb after use.
 18. Themethod of claim 11 wherein holding the specialized comb furthercomprises adding pressure to an indentation on the comb's main body byplacement of a thumb in the indentation.
 19. The method of claim 11wherein said portions are integrally molded into one body of the comb.20. The method of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion frictionallyengages with remaining parts of the comb.